Today is the still awkwardly-named Discussion of Trinity of Brain Issues (Learning Disabilities, ADHD and Aspergers) and the Treatment Thereof Tuesday. DTBITTT. I don’t know that my day should sound like a raspberry. Maybe for the time being we could shorten it to BIT Tuesday or Tuesday BITs (because it doesn’t bite like Monday – HA!)

I was all set to write an exciting and entertaining dissertation on social skills, but then I saw Star Trek on the weekend. Have you seen it yet? Ohmigod. So. Good! I’m not going to give any plot away but if you’re like my friend Phil who will not even discuss casting before he’s seen the movie, you might want to avert your eyes. Come back after you’ve seen it. We’ll just pause for a moment…

Okay, is everyone here that wants to be here?

Now, I’m sure you all know that this is a prequel (sort of) of the Star Trek series, and so we watch as the Enterprise crew slowly by coincidence, luck, happenstance, and the occasional push from a wise elder, gathers its crew together: Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Bones, Scotty, Chekov, and Sulu. These are the essentials I think. Am I missing anyone? And I had an epiphany…

As a parent of a special needs child, I need to have my own essential bridge crew.

And, I don’t mean, I just need to have a checklist to fill the positions of Captain and First Officer and the like. But, just like there was a special magic ingredient that made the Enterprise crew great, I need to be pay attention to what luck, coincidence, happenstance, and the occasional push from a wise elder, is placing in my path. Because I need my crew to have that same magic.

Kirk (The Captain): This is me. I have to be the one who believes we can re-write the programming to win the game, who doesn’t believe in no-win situations. I set the essential vision for exploring new worlds. To boldly go where no one has gone before. To expand our knowledge of the universe. Engage in diplomacy with unfriendly aliens while doing my best to adhere to the prime directive.

Spock (First Officer): This is the guy that keeps that tension going between the vision and the reality. The poetry and the logic. He grounds Kirk, protects him, does his best to see things through his eyes. Occasionally gives in to his human side. Super-powers: capable of the mind-meld and the Vulcan death grip. This is my husband.

Uhura: (Communications Officer) Sensitive to sub-space frequencies. Can detect a distress signal from many galaxies away. Alerts the crew to danger. Language specialist. This is our social skills teacher.

Bones: (Medical Officer) An important third to the Kirk, Spock dynamic. Conscience. Alernates between being the voice of reason and the voice of passion. Essential phrase: “Dammit Jim, I’m a doctor, not a physicist!” Our pediatrician, family doctor and psychologist.

Scotty: (Engineer) Not only was Scotty the guy who would protest “The engines can’t take much more, Cap’n!” He was also the guy who discovered how to transport people in a warp field. He wrote the manual on the starship. The epitome of the person that can truly think outside of the box. Paradigm Shifter. These are the Michael Merzenichs, Norman Doidges, Barbara Arrowsmith-Youngs, and Richard Lavoies of the world. The guys and gals that are expanding our knowledge of the universe of the mind and the person. They are writing the manual.

Sulu: (Helmsman). Plots the course as directed by the Captain. Handles the ship with expertise. A person whose many talents reveal themselves over time. This is our Head Therapist.

Chekov: (Ensign) (in this movie anyway). That helper person enlisted to help in the mission. A believer in the mission. A growing expert in the tools at his command. Enthusiastic. Can be seen running through the hallways occasionally yelling “I can do that! I can do that!” Our home therapist. The School SEA.

The Enterprise: The child. The complex ship that is capable of going warp speed, exploring new worlds, and going boldly where no one has gone before. With a little help from a crew that believes in her and loves her.

Havi might have her pirate crew (more about Havi tomorrow, but suffice to say that I am currently in love with her). My bet is that Persephone might construct her team with Dr. Who in mind. But for myself, I have a Star Trek Bridge Crew.

What about you? What model are you going to use to construct your team? You’ll know it when something in you sings out “Yes!”

WELCOME TO MY PRECARIOUSLY BALANCED UNIVERSE…

...in which I ask important questions like "If I'm the centre of the universe, why don't I get my way more often?" and "What if the laws of the universe are merely suggestions?" and of course the key questions, "Have you subscribed? How will I know you like me if you don't?"